TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The military reportedly plans on launching a new combatant command in two years to defend Taiwan's territorial waters.

The Navy will establish a coastal combatant command to enhance maritime combat capabilities, incorporating units such as the Haifeng Brigade, Fast Attack Boat Combat Group, and Naval Maritime Surveillance and Reconnaissance Command, reported CNA. A source familiar with the matter on Sunday (April 14) said the plan is to establish the command in 2026 to take on defense responsibilities up to 44 km (24 NM) from Taiwan's shores to deter Chinese forces through a dense network of anti-ship missiles.

The Naval Command Headquarters said the new unit will integrate maritime surveillance, combat, and communication capabilities, as well as mobile coastal forces. In addition, a decentralized command and control system will be established to enhance the effectiveness of joint interception operations and increase defensive depth.

Taiwan is strengthening its maritime combat capabilities by purchasing 100 Harpoon Coastal Defense System (HCDS) launch systems from the U.S. By 2028, including U.S.-made systems and domestically-produced Hsiung Feng II and III missiles, Taiwan's total anti-ship missiles will exceed 1,000. 

Preliminary plans include establishing Haifeng Brigade bases in Yunlin, Tainan, Zuoying, Pingtung (two locations), and near Taitung. Related construction projects are already underway.

The new littoral combatant command is a response to the expansion of the Haifeng Brigade and the mass production of domestically made weapons. It will be organized into four strike groups: North, Central, South, and East, to establish precise missile-based maritime combat capabilities around the Taiwan Strait.

A source told CNA that the commanding officer will be a vice admiral and the formation is scheduled for 2026, with posts allocated internally by the Navy.

However, the source emphasized that the new unit is still in the planning stages and its formation date and responsibilities have not yet been fully finalized.